Irrigation capacity of Bihar will increase to 29.91 lakh hectares by the end of this month, the Assembly was informed today.

Out of 53.53 lakh hectares of irrigation capacity of long and medium type schemes, the irrigation capacity of 29.69 lakh hectare has been created by the end of March 2017 which is further expected to increase to 29.91 lakh hectare by this month, Water Resources Minister Rajiv Ranjn Singh alias Lalan Singh said.

Singh was replying to debate on his department's budgetary allocation for 2018-19 which was later passed by a voice vote.

Opposition members staged a walkout from the House expressing dissatisfaction with the minister's speech.

Singh said Rs 952.28 crore is estimated to be spent on the various schemes relating to irrigation in 2018-19.

Of the state's total geographical area of 94.16 lakh hectares, 68.80 lakh hectares of land - 73.06 per cent - are flood affected, he said adding that the state government has started preparations to tackle the floods.

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